Staggering ring gaps when installing pistons is every bit as daft as having four tyres fitted and placing all the valves at "twelve o'clock".
That's a great line! And a great article, thank you for sharing! That article clarified a lot of what I felt about ring gaps, but couldn't explain.
My general experience with reassembling top ends on various makes and models; Make darned sure you've got the correct ring, in the correct groove. It's easy on some models to put a thicker, or thinner ring, into the wrong place, or upside down, etc.
Many recommend putting the pistons into the bore while upside down on the bench, and then fitting the pistons onto the conrods. Never worked for me. Or using a zip-tie as a homemade ring compressor; again, no luck in my experience. I think purpose-built ring compressors would be very helpful, but I've never bought or used them.
I always had the best luck having both pistons at even height, and a 2nd set of hands hold the cylinder, while I gently squeeze the rings into their grooves as the cylinder is slowly lowered, working my way around the piston. 50% of the time, it works every time...